Applications Engineer - MagneticsResearch Triangle Park, NCVulcan Elements is manufacturing American rare-earth permanent magnets for a secure, resilient future. With a focus on national security and economic resiliency, we serve critical industries such as defense, aerospace, and automotive powering a high-technology future. Vulcan Elements is building a team of ambitious professionals committed to mission focus, technical excellence, and transparency.
As an Applications Engineer, you will own the technical progression of customer programs from initial engagement through qualification and production. You will serve as the technical bridge between customers, commercial teams, and internal engineering—ensuring that customer requirements are translated into manufacturable, high-performance magnet solutions.This role sits within the commercial development team and is critical to advancing customer opportunities through the pipeline (samples ? validation ?
qualification ? production), directly supporting revenue growth and successful product execution.ResponsibilitiesWork directly with customers to understand application requirements and identify appropriate permanent magnet solutionsProvide guidance on magnet materials, grades, coatings, and performance characteristicsServe as a primary technical point of contact for customer questions, clarifications, and issue resolutionCommunicate technical requirements clearly between customers and internal teamsDrive customer programs through key milestones including sample delivery, testing, validation, and production readinessTrack and manage technical progress of customer engagements in coordination with the commercial teamAct as the voice of the customer internally, ensuring requirements, constraints, and performance expectations are clearly understood and executedApplication Engineering & Magnet GuidanceGuide customers in selecting appropriate magnet materials, grades, and configurations for new and existing applicationsProvide magnetic application support, including performance tradeoffs and basic analysisEvaluate customer requirements against internal manufacturing capabilities and provide DFM recommendations balancing performance, cost, manufacturability, and heavy rare earth (HRE) usageTranslate application needs into clear technical requirements for production and materials teamsExecution, Quality & Problem SolvingCoordinate with R&D, manufacturing, and quality teams to ensure alignment with customer requirementsSupport prototyping, testing, and validation of magnet products in customer applicationsSupport root cause investigations for customer issues and non-conforming product, including corrective actions (e.g., 8D)Partner with internal quality teams and customers on qualification activities (e.g., PPAP, where applicable)Drive timely resolution of application, performance, and quality issues across internal teamsOperate with urgency to support fast-moving customer timelines and internal production rampCustomer Qualification & Program ExecutionOwn technical execution of customer programs from initial engagement through qualification and production releaseCoordinate internally to ensure timely delivery of samples, test data, and technical documentationSupport customer qualification processes, including PPAP, first article inspection, and validation testing where applicableEnsure alignment between customer expectations and internal execution timelinesResponsibilities and tasks outlined are not exhaustive and may change as determined by the needs of the businessQualificationsBachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, materials science, physics, or related technical field5+ years of experience in a customer-facing engineering, applications engineering, or product engineering roleExperience working with manufactured components in a production environment (e.g., metals, ceramics, magnets, or similar)Ability to interpret technical drawings, specifications, and customer requirementsExperience collaborating cross-functionally with manufacturing and quality teamsStrong problem-solving skills with experience supporting root cause investigationsExcellent communication skills with the ability to interface directly with customersMust be a U.S. person due to required access to U.S.
export-controlled information or facilitiesDesired SkillsExperience in automotive, aerospace, defense, or other high-reliability industriesExperience working with permanent magnets, particularly NdFeB materialsFamiliarity with magnetic systems or applications (e.g., motors, sensors, actuators)Familiarity with quality and qualification processes (e.g., PPAP, first article inspection)Ability to read and interpret GD&T and complex engineering drawingsExposure to design-for-manufacturability (DFM) concepts in a production environmentExperience supporting root cause investigations and corrective actions (e.g., 8D, CAPA)Experience working directly with customers in a technical or applications-focused roleExposure to basic electromagnetic or magnetic analysis tools (FEA or similar)